As a beginner Birminghamian, with a love for my new life in my new “hometown”, this is a place to share thoughts, ideas, and tips on all my favorite things. Hope you enjoy my journey “over the mountain”.

Oct 1 Beyond Pumpkins - 4 Tips for Affordably Fabulous Fall Decor

I believe fall is the official kick-off to the holiday season and an excellent opportunity to start flexing your seasonal décor muscle. Fall décor can be so much more than pumpkins and leaves.

Here are a few tips to elevate your autumn home style & add a little economical elegance

Avoid the Obvious

Try to avoid the obvious cartoon look of jack o lanterns and scarecrows. Things can be kid-friendly without appearing to be made for a child’s birthday party. Look beyond the expected and create an illusion instead of “decorating”. Imagine your space is the haunted home of ghosts and ghouls and you are preparing for a fantastic affair in their honor.

Pick a Palette

I always suggest choosing a color palette and try to limit yourself to one or two main colors, with various shades. Avoid orange! Try black, gray/silver, purple or green. White & robin’s egg blue are the hottest fall colors today and offer a fresh update on the traditional fall décor. Want to try something new but have old, outdated décor? Paint it!

Resurrect the Dead Branch

Look to your yard for inspiration & materials. Clip live (and dead) greenery. Branches of fall foliage add live color and sophistication to any room. Going for a darker, more lethal look? Dead branches are perfect! Spray paint black or any color from your palette for an extra pop. Add spiderwebs, moss, and bats to create a more authentic atmosphere.

Budget-Friendly Boos

Do you desire to make a big statement without breaking the bank? Visit the dollar store and stock up on basics like cobwebs, bats, black birds, and moss. Cheap costume staples make excellent décor so round up tons of witches’ hats, vampire teeth, tiaras, even hatchets & chains. Have a coatrack or mud room? Hang a witch’s hat & cape and lean a broom against the wall. Same concept can be applied with any costume accessories – super hero cape & mask, princess tiara & jewels, red ruby slippers & basket with puppy, bloody hatchet & hockey mask, if you are feeling a little spooky. Buy cheap faux pumpkins and skulls and paint them black or gray, or your signature Halloween hue. Venture down each aisle and look for things you can incorporate or paint – vases, candle holders, glasses. As a rule, avoid anything that actually says “Happy Halloween”.